In a trice, Oliver Gray’s, Heard The One, transformed the Mars Fillies Guineas to Karen Blixen Coffee Garden’s name.

Assisted by young Jacob Lokorian, Heard The One, even when looking distinctly improbable at the cemetry bend, patiently wore down Wirraway, You’re So Vain, and, Carla, having no otherwise than to scramble for best places.

Breeding of Heard A Whisper/Silverton, Heard The One modeled concentration and determination to steer forward 50 metres from home.

Karen Blixen Coffee Garden had earlier reeled in the Orbit Professional Conference Cup with Roxanne (James Muhindi), also trained by Gray, on a treble courtesy of amateur Whiskas, Freeforall (D Thoenes).

NGONG RESULTS

12.45 pm – First race – Whiskas Handicap (2,060m)

1. Freeforall (D. Thoenes)

2. Rikiti Baby (Cindy Voorspuoy)

3. Capelvale (David Miri) Distance: 1.5/1/3.5. Time: 2:14:9/10 secs. Favourite: Rikiti Baby. Runners: 5 Owned by O’Dwyer/Bowser/Maddison. Trainer Oliver Gray

1.15 pm – Second Race – PK Maiden (2,060m)

1. Refella (Robert Kibet)

2. Sandrina (Jacob Lokorian)

3. Dimattina (Lesley Sercombe_

Distance: 8/neck/8/3.4. Time: 1:44:6/10 secs. Favourite: Winner. Runners: 5 Owned by Have A Good Laugh Syndicate. Trainer Bindya Devani

1.45 pm – Third Race – Orbit Professional Conference Cup (2,400m)

1. Roxanne (James Muhindi)

2. Landed (Henry Muya)

3. Borodin (Patrick Mungai)

4. Hoplyte (Lesley Sercombe)

Distance: 2.4/neck/0.75/7. Time: 2:37:9/10 secs.

Favourite: Winner. Runners: 5 Owned by Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. Trainer Oliver Gray

2.20 pm – Fourth Race – Galaxy Handicap (1,800m)

1. Breido (jacob Lokorian)

2. Mulligan (Josphat Kultiang)

3. Boudica (Paul Kiarie)

Distance: 1.5/neck/1/8. Time: 1:56:2/10 secs.

Favourite: Winner. Runners: 6 Owned by Mary Binks. Trainer Julie McCann

2.55 pm – Fifth Race – The Mars Group Fillies Guineas (1,600m)

1. Heard The One (Jacob Lokorian)

2. Wirraway (Lesley Sercombe)

3. You’re So Vain (Patrick Mungai)

4. Carla (James Muhindi) Distance: 1.4/3.5/1.5/8. Time: 1:41:3/10 secs Favourite: Wirraway. Runners: 9 Owned by Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. Trainer Oliver Gray

3.55 pm – Sixth Race – Juicy Fruit Maiden (1,000)

1. Approval Rating (Patrick Mungai)

2. Dashing (Charles Mwangi)

3. Star Attraction (James Muhindi) Distance: 0.75/3.5/neck/neck. Time: 1:02:6/10 secs. Favourite: Bolt. Runners: 7 Owned by David Armstrong and J. Taylor. Trainer Oliver Gray

4.05 pm – Seventh Race – The Snickers Challenge Cup (1,400m)

1. Popaway (Lesley Sercombe)

2. Captain Gerard (Daniel Tanui)

3. Ermanos (James Muhindi)

4. Swan Queen (Henry Muya)

Distance: 2.75/neck/3.4/3.4. Time 1:28:2/10 secs. Favourite: Winner. Runners: 8 Owned by Michelle Jenner/Yogi Patel/Ian Gibson, and, G. Sphikas. Trainer Patsy Sercombe

4.45 pm – Eighth Race – Pedigree Handicap (1,200m)

1. Inferno (Lesley Sercombe)

2. Clynton (David Miri)

3. Arvada (Jacob Lokorian)

Distance: 2.5/0.75/3.5/7. Time: 1:14:1/10 secs. Favourite: Winner. Runners: 5 Owned by Mim Haynes. Trainer Patsy Sercombe

Next meeting March 4 – Delamere Gold Vase, City of Nairobi Cup, Nakuru Race Club, Soprani Derby Trial.

By The Squirrel, The Standard

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